Apparatus and method for coiling a moving web

Abstract

A self-threading spool or core for a moving web or strip in which the web or strip is guided onto the periphery of a supported frame for rotation about a horizontal axis by freely flexible guide means anchored at one end to the frame and extending from said anchored end generally tangentially to the underside of the core periphery and then up and over said periphery to be held by gravity in partially encircling contact therewith or with the web being wound, the guide means defines with the periphery of said core a nip into which the leading edge of a web travelling between the core and flexible means is directed into winding engagement with the core. When a sufficient number of coils has been collected on the core, the flexible means slides free of the core to an out-of-the-way position beneath the core.

We claim: 
     
       1. A device for coiling a moving web or strip onto a rotating core, which device comprises a frame, core support means carried by said frame upon which said core may be positioned for rotation about a horizontal axis, means for imparting rotation to said supported core, freely flexible means anchored at one end to said frame, said flexible means extending from said anchored end generally tangentially to the underside of the core periphery and then up and over said periphery to be held by gravity in partially encircling contact therewith or with the web being wound, thereby defining with the periphery of said core a nip into which the leading edge of a web travelling between said core and said flexible means is directed for winding engagement with said core. 
     
     
       2. A device according to claim 1, in which the frictional coefficient of at least one surface of said flexible means facing said core relative to said strip or web is smaller than that of said strip or web relative to said core. 
     
     
       3. A device according to claim 1, in which said flexible means is in the form of a chain, said chain comprising bearings for contacting the strip or web. 
     
     
       4. A device according to claim 1, in which said flexible means is in the form of a ribbon. 
     
     
       5. A device according to claim 4, in which only the surface of said ribbon facing said strip or web is of a material having a frictional coefficient relative to said web or strip which is lower than that of said core relative to said web or strip. 
     
     
       6. A device according to claim 2, in which at least those portions of said flexible means which are arranged in use to contact said strip or web are made from a material comprising polytetrafluoroethylene. 
     
     
       7. A device according to claim 1, in which the unanchored end of said flexible means carries a counterweight. 
     
     
       8. A device according to claim 1, in which the length of said flexible means is such as to embrace the core only at the beginning of the coiling cycle, and is dislodged from the web or strip after the coiling cycle is initiated and a sufficient number of convolutions of said web or strip are wound upon said core. 
     
     
       9. A device according to claim 1, in which means is provided to advance said strip or web towards said nip. 
     
     
       10. A device according to claim 1, in which guide means is provided to guide said strip or web towards said nip. 
     
     
       11. A device according to claim 10, in which said guide means is divided into sub-guides depending upon the width of the web or strip to be coiled. 
     
     
       12. A device according to claim 11, in which a corresponding sub-guide is brought in guiding position in response to the width of the core which is to be coiled. 
     
     
       13. A device according to claim 12, in which the exit of said sub-guides points towards said nip.